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Why is My Brand New Laptop So Slow?

Your old computer is beginning to slow down, so you head out and purchase a shiny new laptop. As it is brand new you think that everything will be faster and easier. Only, from the first day, the new laptop is lagging and you wonder why it is running so slow?

If your laptop is slow on the first startup, this may be due to system updates. For instance, a Windows 10 automatic update to bolster the security of the computer. You can’t do much about these updates, but wait a day or so and see if the laptop is still running slow one of the following may be the culprit.

1) Not enough computing power.

In many cases (and especially with cheaper laptops), the machine doesn’t have enough memory or RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM helps your computer do more at once.

RAM is like the computer’s short-term memory, while the hard drive is the long-term memory. When your computer is on, information for the operating system, currently running applications and data are kept in RAM, for quicker processing.

Just as the human brain can’t hold everything in short-term memory, RAM can get overloaded too. When this happens on your laptop, the computer needs to go to the hard drive which slows things down.

The CPU is the brains of the laptop so if you don’t get the correct model CPU, this may be holding you back. Check out our blog article on “Which Processor is Right for You?” to see what CPU’s are suitable for your needs.

Resolution: You might see 4GB, 8GB, 16GB or more of RAM available. How much you need is going to depend on what you plan on doing with the computer. For a laptop with Windows 10, we recommend at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB is more comfortable for a better experience.

Not all laptops will let you access the RAM easily, so look for at least 8G of RAM when purchasing a new computer. If you have already purchased a laptop, a memory upgrade can overcome this issue.

2) Mechanical hard drive.

With a less expensive computer, manufacturers skimp on the components. While it is now slowly becoming less common, some laptops come with a mechanical hard drive. This is like a CD player with a spinning disk, since something is moving to find data, the laptop runs slower than it would with a Solid State Drive (SSD). SSD drives are much faster that an old mechanical or platter drive as they no moving parts.

Resolution: In many cases, a mechanical hard drive can be upgraded to a SSD. However, some super slim laptops have limited upgradability.

3) Bloatware or Crapware

Retailers like to tout all the bells and whistles that come with their laptops and when you turn on your laptop for the first time, you may notice that there is already a lot of third party software preloaded. Much of this software you will probably never use and it may be only trial versions. There could be toolbars you don’t need, games you will never play or stock widgets that you couldn’t care less about. These are just some examples of bloatware or crapware that slow down your computer.

The reason that bloatware is installed on your new computer is because these third party applications are a revenue source for the manufacturer. Microsoft, for instance, sells a line of computers that come without any pre-installed third-party software. Computerworld reported those PCs “start up 104% faster, shut down 35% faster and have 28 minutes more battery life.”

Resolution: When you get a new laptop, check out the pre-installed software before you add your own. Determine what the existing software will do and uninstall anything that you do not want.

Improved speed is a main reason to invest in a new laptop. Don’t let a lagging laptop disrupt your productivity. We can help with a slow running laptop.

Instead of wasting your valuable time waiting on a slow computer, contact us on 08 8326 4364 or via email at support@dpcomputing.com.au!

About David Perkovic

David founded DP Computing in 1993. With a Computer Science degree and over 25 years of IT experience David has advanced computer, server and networking skills. He has personally designed, setup and administered many Microsoft based networks and likes to share his knowledge via blog posts and Youtube videos.